MESSAGE BY AMBASSADOR ODEEN ISHMAEL ON THE OCCASION OF THE 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF GUYANA
On this momentous occasion of the 29th anniversary of the independence of Guyana, I salute all of you, my compatriots, and commend you for your participation in the struggle for the improvement of social and economic conditions in our homeland.
Once again, we take stock of all that our country and our people have achieved over the years, and particularly in the past 29 years of political independence under which we have grown to become a full-fledged nation. But even before Guyana achieved its political independence from Great Britain, many of our compatriots had already planted their feet firmly in the annals of international politics, sports and education and thus earning a positive reputation for our country. This tradition has continued since 1966, and even though some negativity crept into our post-independence history, the positive achievements of Guyana's sons and daughters in various fields have nevertheless ensured that the flag of Guyana continues to fly proudly in the international arena.
The people of Guyana along with many of their organizations and their leaders, from the period of the domination of the Amerindian nations by European colonisers, and throughout the exploitative periods of slavery, indenture, and Crown Colony government, waged a relentless struggle for freedom. Their sweat and their blood, soaked in our soil, helped to fertilize the independence struggle and gave courage to our own heroes who championed the cause of freedom and stood up bravely to foreign and local opponents of the independence struggle.
It is only right that we salute our patriots, our heroes -- indeed, all our people -- for their participation in the independence movement. Their role must be recognized, and our young people must be made aware of the parts played by the mass organizations and their leaders in the period leading up to the winning of political independence of our country.
But even though we have achieved political independence, we still have to continue to wage a struggle for economic independence. Like so many other developing countries, our country is saddled with a strangling debt problem. And despite the fact that we have taken our political destinies in our own hand since 1966, we still remain generally a primary producer of commodities, the prices of which are determined by the developed consumer countries. We need to develop a strong manufacturing base, utilizing our vast natural resources which by far remain undeveloped. Guyanese residing in the United States are urged to explore the new investment opportunities in Guyana and participate in the development of industries which can propel our nation toward economic independence.
The celebration of our independence anniversary also offers the opportunity for our people to make a critical analysis of the post-1966 period of our history and for them to suggest constructive methods that can be applied to buttress our political freedom and democracy, and to work out strategies for the achievement of total economic independence of our nation. It is only when our people participate in the development and implementation of ideas will they be able to strengthen our hard-won democratic gains and ensure that we never lose them again to the forces who want to reverse the tide of history.
A happy Independence Anniversary to all Guyanese!
MASTER PLAN ON CARDS FOR ZOO, GARDENS
Chairman of the Biodiversity Park Development Committee, Dr. Peter Fernandes says the group has a tentative agreement from an overseas architectural firm to develop the master plan for the Botanical Gardens and zoo. Dr. Fernandes is currently instituting a project to save and increase Guyana's manatee population. This project is receiving assistance from Miami Seaworld.
FIRE RAZES GNCB BRANCH, TWO STORES
Fire of unknown origin razed the Vreed-en-Hoop branch of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) and two nearby buildings leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and at least 17 people unemployed.
COPS IN TRAINING
Thirty-six Amerindians who recently traveled from the interior to join the Police Force, are in training at Felix Austin Police College, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR TAX DEPARTMENT
The Inland Revenue Department(IRD) and three other government units are to receive computer software under a US$4.2M grant package from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).The funds are for institutional strengthening of the Finance Ministry and the Office of the Auditor General.Others to benefit are the Customs Department and the Accountant General's Office. Other computer programmes, including an Automated System for Customs Data are all likely to be in use by the end of this year. Staffers from the Auditor General's and the Accountant General's Offices and the IRD have already received training in public auditing and accounting procedures, and fiscal administration. Several books have also been purchased for the library in the Accountant General's Office. The grant package is being managed by UNDP.
LINDEN GETS ID CARDS CENTER
A branch of the National Registration Center has been established in Linden. Mayor of Linden, Mr. Abdul Kadir was among those at the formal function at the opening of the Center and welcomed the decision that he acknowledged would satisfy the needs of people in that community.Processing can be done within 15 minutes and Lindeners will no longer have to travel to Georgetown to obtain national identification (ID) cards or replace lost ones.
REFURBISHED SCHOOLS AT LEONORA AND BARTICA
The Lenora Nursery School on the West Coast of Demerara was handed over to the Ministry of Education. The $4.5M refurbishing of the school was financed by Futures Fund. And rehabilitation works have been completed on the St. Anthony's Primary School in Bartica at a cost of G$5.6 million. Education Minister, Dr. Dale Bisnauth presided over the handing over of the school to the Education Ministry.
LIMA RESIDENTS LAYING PIPELINES
Residents of the recently regularized Lima squatting area on the Essequibo coast, are in the self-help process of laying pipelines which will provide them with potable water. The work is being supervised by the Guyana Water Authority. The roads in the developing housing scheme have already been built by the regional administration in collaboration with residents.
SUPPORT FOR TRINIDAD'S DIPLOMAT
Guyana's Foreign Minister Clement Rohee says this country has reaffirmed its support for the candidature of Trinidad-born Christopher Thomas as Organization of American States (OAS) assistant secretary-general for another term. Ambassador Thomas, who was in Guyana to lobby support for his candidacy, met with President Cheddi Jagan and Foreign Minister Rohee at the presidential office. The position of assistant secretary-general is the second highest elective post in the OAS Secretariat and the election is scheduled for the 25th regular session of OAS general assembly in June in Haiti.
WATER LEVEL DROPS IN GEORGETOWN
As the level of the capital's potable water supply continues
to drop, officials are warning that if the current dry spell
continues, residents in the capital could face a serious
situation.
David Dewar, Chief Engineer of the Georgetown Sewerage and
Water Commissioners, said that the level of water in the Demerara
Conservancy is low and dropping at a fast rate. He also stated
that the water level is dependent on rainfall and noted that for
the year so far, rainfall has been only 15% of last year's
reading. Officials had called on residents in Georgetown to
conserve or face severe water rationing. Dewar said so far
persons have been heeding the call.
HOYTE SUPPORTS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
Leader of the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC), Desmond Hoyte, says that his party will support fully moves instituted by the Government to reform the controversial 1980 Guyana constitution. Last year, parliament gave approval for the establishment of a select parliamentary committee on constitutional reform comprising representatives from the PPP/Civic, PNC, WPA and the United Force. That committee has been meeting to draft out a plan of action to determine the way forward. "We feel that something as vital as constitutional reform should have the support of all the political parties in our country," Hoyte declared. He added that his party, which drafted the 1980 constitution under the leadership of the late President Forbes Burnham, feels that the constitution needs to be put under extensive review. Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Committee on Electoral Reform has agreed that the Chairman of the Elections Commission be selected in accordance with the 1991 Carter Center-brokered formula.
SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TAX
The Guyana Environmental Monitoring Committee (GEMCO) says that it has no objections to the government's efforts to set up an environmental fund. The main source of the fund will come from the levying of the environmental tax of 10 dollars on each unit of non-returnable containers entering the country. The tax which came into effect on March 1, is aimed at assisting in cleaning up and protecting the environment. It is part of the coordinated approach to environmental issues agreed to by CARICOM governments. The Demerara Distillers Limited, a leading general importer and manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages has also declared support for the environmental tax.
TWO NEW AIR CARGO SERVICES TO NORTH AMERICA
Two more air cargo services have been launched to give
impetus
to cross-continent commercial activities between Guyana and North
America.
FDD Freight Express, a weekly cargo service to Toronto, was
formally commissioned at the Timehri International Airport
recently. It will use a Boeing 737 cargo plane with a capacity of
32,000 pounds. President of FDD, Douglas Maloney of Jamaica, said
this would present anopportunity for local businesses to compete
more effectively.
On April 12, Laparkan first all cargo service from New York
also went into operation.
Facilitating such air services is the growing exportation of
non-traditional produce, fruits and vegetables, production of
which
has increased by over 100 percent of late.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM The four political parties in Parliament have reached agreement on how to proceed with reforming the 1980 Constitution.
WORLD BANK US$14M LIKELY
The Government recently concluded negotiations with visiting
World Bank officials for a US$14M private sector development
credit
package.
$56M GRANT FOR AUDIT OFFICE
The European Union and the local office of the Auditor
General
on April 15 signed a direct financing agreement for a G$55.9M
grant
to strengthen the Government audit department.
MORE FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The Finance Ministry has approved another 10% increase in
the
foreign exchange retention rate for the Guyana Sugar Corporation
Limited and miners exporting through the Guyana Gold Board.
IDB US$250M LOAN CLINCHED Guyana has clinched a US$250M soft loan from the IDB under a special fund to aid the five neediest member states in the region.
HIGH-LEVEL TEAM FOR GEC REVIEW
The Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean
Development Bank are to dispatch a high-level mission here
shortly
to help deal with problems in the electricity sector.
NEW COURT HOUSE FOR LEGUAN
The court house of Leguan is being rebuilt. For years, the
dilapidated state of the building had led to postponement of
cases
causing frustration to residents.
NEW SCHOOLS AND MORTUARY FOR ESSEQUIBO Several schools and a mortuary will be constructed this year on the Essequibo Coast and in the Pomeroon through funding by the Basic Needs Trust Fund.
LOTS FOR EVICTED SQUATTERS
Squatters who were evicted earlier this year from plots of
lands at North Stewartville were given the assurance that 15
house
lots will be allocated to them.
NEW BOOSTERS FOR GROVE RESIDENTS
Some 10,000 residents at Grove, East Bank Demerara will
benefit from new boosters which will improve the water pressure
in
that area. The machinery were purchased at the cost of $600,000.
WORK STARTS ON TIMEHRI ROAD Work has already commenced on certain sections of this vital roadway leading to the Timehri Airport.
24-HOUR HOT LINE SOON Guyana will soon have its first 24-hour hot line counseling and crisis service. Women's rights activist, Ms Josephine Whitehead, said this service will be free of cost and will be housed at the Legal Aid Clinic's Office at the Maharaj Building.
CUSTOMS REVENUE UP BY 37%
Finance Minister Asgar Ally says Customs revenue increased
by
37% for the first quarter of this year as against the same period
last year. And he attributes this mainly to the effectiveness of
the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad.
He revealed that Duty and Consumption Tax collected at
Skeldon
between BASS' reorganization last November and March this year
amounted to $55.2 million. The value of goods seized over the
same
period was $14.5 million.
GROWTH RATE SURPASSES TARGET IN FIRST QUARTER
Finance Minister Asgar Ally said that the economic growth
rate has surpassed 6.5% in the first quarter of this year and
that revenue collection were also above target. Speaking to
reporters
he said that sugar, forestry and rice production had grown beyond
their targets.
Preliminary figures for the first quarter, revealed by Ally
pegged inflation at 1.2% for the first quarter.
Customs in the first three months raked in G$2.88B compared
to
the G$2.1B last year. Income tax was estimated around G$700M for
the first quarter of this year.
AMBASSADOR URGES TEXANS TO INVEST IN GUYANA
Guyana's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Odeen Ishmael,
on Thursday April 27 urged Texas business persons to participate
in
trade and investment in Guyana. He was at the time giving the
feature address at a luncheon organized by the Greater Houston
Partnership in Houston, Texas. The Greater Houston Partnership,
which is the Chamber of Commerce in America's fourth largest
city,
has among its members some of the largest businesses in the
nation.
In his address, Ambassador Ishmael described the investment
climate in Guyana and spelled out the new incentives launched by
the Government to attract and encourage foreign investment in the
country.
The Greater Houston Partnership is currently in the process
of organizing a trade and investment mission to Guyana for the
later
part of this year.
INTEGRITY LEGISLATION
The President, government ministers, heads of diplomatic
missions, members of the judiciary, permanent secretaries,
members of Parliament, political appointees, and even local
government officials will, in about two months time, be required
by law to declare their assets annually before an Integrity
Commission. The Integrity Commission Bill will replace the
ineffective Integrity Commission Act of 1991 which was never
implemented.
According to the new proposals, all these leading officials
will have to declare, in addition to their assests, all personal
gifts valued above 10,000 Guyana dollars and provide the names
and addresses of the donors. Persons who cannot account for
additional assets acquired would be penalized with heavy fines
and periods of imprisonment.
RACE RELATIONS COMMISSION
After two years of conceptualization and scores of broad-based public discussions, the Cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of a Race Relations Commission. A Task Force headed by Bishop Randolph George, the proposed chairman of the Commission, recently presented a working paper to Cabinet outlining legislative and regulatory framework along with its essential terms of reference for the Commission.
GUYANESE GROUPS IN USA SEND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Guyana Medical Relief of Los Angeles, California, recently
sent another shipment of medical equipment and supplies to Guyana
as part of its on-going drive to provide assistance to the health
sector. The institutions to benefit from this assistance are the
Georgetown Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital, Port Mourant
Hospital, Bartica Hospital, St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital and the
Davis Memorial Hospital. The total value of the shipment is
US$215,854.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Guyana Nurses Association also
sent medical supplies and equipment for the Pediatric Department
of the Georgetown Hospital. These items have been valued at
US$22,500.
Both the Guyana Medical Relief and the Los Angeles Nurses
Association have been working in close cooperation in their
resource mobilization drive.
Another organization, Guyana Outreach of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, in March delivered two containers of medical supplies
and equipment to the Georgetown and Skeldon Hospitals.
WORLD TITLE FIGHTS FOR TWO GUYANESE BOXERS
Guyana's world rated Anthony Andrews will fight for the WBA lightweight championship on May 27 in Florida. His opponent is the current champion Jorge Castro of Argentina. The other Guyanese world rater, Andrew Murray, is expected to have a crack at WBA welterweight champion, Ike Quartey of Ghana by mid-year.